Christmas time in the Oldenkamp house


Decorating the tree is a great family activity
in our house. We keep a journal of all the
ornaments: when we got it and the occasion.
As we hang them we read about the ornament
and recall the memories it holds.

The boys each got a new ornament this year
to represent something special about them
at this stage in life.


Judah got a "Buzz and Woody" ornament
since he's been obsessed with Toy Story
since he arrived in the US.


Liam's is a little gingerbread man dressed
as a baker since he's my little baker boy.


Gabriel got a "Curious George" because
he is our curious little monkey who
gets into trouble without meaning to.



Dave and I made an Advent Tree this year
and although we finished a little later
then Dec. 1st, we did get it done and
the boys love it! Dave free-handed a
tree shape on a large piece of wood,
cut it out and smoothed the edges.


We painted it, put in the hooks and
painted on the numbers. We bought 24
wooded, unpainted ornaments from Hobby
Lobby and Dave and I hand painted them
all. This is the main reason it took
past Dec 1st to finish. It was a lot
of work but well worth it!


Once the boys could hang the ornaments
the wait for Christmas made more sense
to them. They could see for themselves
how many days away it was.

I tried my hand at some new recipes
this season and made some macaroons,
a few different kinds of fudge and
chocolate chip nougat. The bark
didn't turn out (Dave still ate it)
but everything else was great!


Last year Liam and I started the new
tradition of making Jesus a birthday
cake. My kids understand birthdays and
how that one person is the focus. So,
I thought a birthday cake would help
set Jesus apart in a special way. This
year, we're making a Red Velvet Cheese Cake.
It's cooling as we speak and we'll
finish it tomorrow (Christmas Day)
and take it to my parents house.
Liam loves being involved in any
baking I do.


The boys are getting terribly spoiled
this year with endless packages arriving
in the mail. The Washington Grandparents
are so generous even when we aren't with
the for the holidays. The "Under the Tree"
gifts are minimal compared to all the
gifts that won't fit under the tree.


Dave's mom Knitted the boys stockings
and they turned out wonderful. They
are actually big enough this year to
fit everything in them.


Our Special Ethiopian Judah is 6 years old


Our Not so Little Liam will be 5 in February


Sweet Gabriel will be 3 in March

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